Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs New Haven, CT (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

New Haven

Connecticut
95

Arlington is 114% more expensive than New Haven.

$2,275/mo ↑ 58%
Median Rent
$1,442/mo ↓ 37%
$140,160/yr ↑ 161%
Median Income
$53,771/yr ↓ 62%
$864,800 ↑ 247%
Home Value
$249,000 ↓ 71%
$2,414/mo ↑ 59%
Owner Costs
$1,520/mo ↓ 37%
235,463
Population
132,893

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
6.99%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
6.35%
0.8%
Property Tax
2.15%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
32.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and New Haven, CT, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 95 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $833/month cheaper in New Haven, saving renters about $9,996/year.

Median household income is $86,389/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $249,000 in New Haven.

Virginia has a lower income tax rate, making Arlington slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs New Haven — common questions

Is Arlington or New Haven cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, New Haven is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and New Haven?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in New Haven it's $1,442/month — a difference of $833/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or New Haven?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $53,771 in New Haven. Median household income is $86,389/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and Connecticut?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Connecticut has 6.99% income tax, 6.35% sales tax, and 2.15% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or New Haven?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while New Haven has a cost index of 95 with rent of $1,442/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View New Haven details →

More Comparisons

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